Compression Socks Care

Compression socks basically use pressure which allows your blood to circulate freely. As this is one of the main benefits of using compression socks, various issues can occur if not cared for. This includes itching, discoloration, and holes in socks. Below is how you should take care of your compression socks.

Hand Wash in Lukewarm Water Using a Mild Detergent

The best way to care for compression socks is by hand washing them in warm water using a mild detergent. This will help prevent any damage to the fabric and elasticity, which could result from machine washing or drying. Hand washing also helps preserve the shape. The friction from machine washing could cause them to lose their shape over time.

Machine was Compression Socks in a Garment Bag, Mild Cycle

Garment bags specialize in washing delicate items. These bags have hook and loop closures that keep the socks from getting tangled up with other garments, which can cause damage to the socks. The mild cycle helps prevent shrinkage and keeps the socks soft.

A garment bag will protect your sock from being damaged as well as from damaging other clothing in the washer/dryer. Also, if you don’t use a garment bag, your socks could end up with holes in them because they were rubbing against other garments during the wash cycle.

Hang Dry the Socks

You might be wondering why you should hang dry your socks instead of throwing them in the wash. The answer is simple: to increase their longevity. Hang drying is a good practice for all socks, but especially for compression socks because of the added stress put on them when you’re wearing them. When you take off your socks, they’re going to have a lot of extra moisture from sweat and heat retention, causing them to wear out faster if you throw them in the dryer.

Read The Brand Instructions

Some brands of compression socks can be machine washed and machine dried to bring back the original shape, but others cannot. If you are unsure if your socks are machine washable or dry-clean only, check the label on the sock or look at the manufacturer’s website to find out more information about how to care for them.

No Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners have chemicals called quaternary ammonium salts. These compounds make fabrics feel smoother by reducing friction between fibers and improving their ability to repel water. In addition to making fabrics feel softer and more comfortable against the skin, they also reduce static electricity build-up on clothing. This can be particularly problematic for people with dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Unfortunately, it also reduces the therapeutic effect of compression socks. As a result, you should avoid fabric softener when washing your compression socks.

Do Not Use Bleach, Even for Colour Safe Clothes

Bleach can cause discoloration and damage or destroy the texture of your compression socks. It will also dry out the material and make it more susceptible to tearing. You may think that using bleach is the best way to get rid of stains on your compression socks. It’s not only ineffective, but can also damage them in other ways. For example, if you put your socks in the washing machine with bleach, then they will lose their colour and become stiffer than usual.

Remove Compression Sock Stains by Rubbing Baking Soda

If you’re worried about discoloration, try soaking your socks in one cup of water and half a cup of vinegar for 15 minutes before washing them. This will help remove stains from your without damaging their colour or fabric. If you have more than one pair of compression socks, separate them into different loads during washing so that there isn’t any cross-contamination between garments.

Avoid Essential Oils and Deodorants

Essential oils and deodorants can be a great way to boost your mood and stay smelling fresh. However, they can also be damaging to the compressional socks you wear.

Essential oils can cause the fibers in the socks to break down, which will lead to them losing their effectiveness over time. Also, essential oils can stain the socks and make them less comfortable to wear. Deodorants can also damage your compression socks by leaving oily residue that makes them uncomfortable and smell bad.

Do not wring out excess water

The material of compression socks are easily damaged by excessive water. If you’re washing them in the washing machine, make sure that you don’t wring out any excess water. This will stretch out the material and cause it to lose its compression. You should also avoid drying your compression socks on high heat or sunlight, as this can cause shrinkage, cause them to fade, or develop discoloration. Instead, use a towel or washcloth to blot them dry.

Storing Compression Socks

Storing compression socks is a vital way to care for them. If you store them in a place that’s too warm or too cold, they can lose their effectiveness. As a general rule, if you’re storing your compression socks in the winter, keep them in an air-conditioned room. In the summer, keep them out of direct sunlight. It’s also important that you store your socks in a place where they won’t be crushed or squashed. If you don’t have the room needed, consider other storage options. This includes boxes, or even plastic bins with lids that can be closed tightly.

Avoid stretching

This is especially important if you have just pulled them out of the dryer or washing machine and they are still hot and pliable. If the material is stretched, it will not shrink back down to its original size when it cools down. This can cause permanent damage to the fabric and make them less effective at compressing your legs.

Don’t leave them in the washer for long

When you leave them in the washer too long, this will cause unnecessary wear on the material itself, which will also result in decreased effectiveness over time as well as an increase in chances of tearing occurring during washing or drying cycles as well.

Give Them a Little Extra Time To Rest, Relax and Recover

To reduce wear and tear on your compression socks, give them some time to rest after they’ve been washed or dried. It’s not necessary to put them away immediately after washing or drying, but try to wait at least 24 hours before wearing them again. This will help preserve the elasticity of the fabric so it doesn’t lose its shape over time.

Do Not Iron

There are a few reasons why you should not iron your compression socks. The first reason is that it will ruin the fabric of your socks. Compression socks are made with special fabrics that help to maximize the amount of compression that you get from your socks. When you iron them, you destroy these special materials and ruin them completely. The second reason why you should not iron your socks is that most people find that it does not help to improve the effectiveness of their compression garments at all.

The right care will help your compression socks last longer and remain in top condition, prolonging their life. In certain cases, it may be necessary to replace. If you find that the compression decreases too much or is no longer providing you with the support your need, then it is likely time for a new pair of socks.